Oxford Academy steals semifinal victory

CYPRESS – It is safe to assume that Oxford Academy baseball coach Cory Williams likes to gamble.

His senior catcher Hayden Higgins had just tied the score with a two-out, two-run triple in the bottom of the sixth inning against Bishop Union, and Williams wanted more.

His plan: Have his catcher steal home.

After a good jump, Higgins made a break for it, slid his left foot just under the tag and in a cloud of dust scored the go-ahead run that topped off an 8-7, come-from-behind victory for the Patriots in the CIF-SS Division 6 semifinal game Tuesday.

"He (coach) said 'You're going to steal home right now'...I just knew to aim for the front corner of the plate and the call was safe," Higgins said.

Oxford advances to the Division 6 final, where it will try to win the championship for the third year in a row. The Patriots face Pasadena Poly on Saturday.

Tuesday wasn't the first time the Patriots have made a late-inning comeback in these playoffs. On Friday, Oxford overcame a 5-1 deficit against Brentwood by scoring seven runs in the sixth inning.

Bishop built a 6-0 lead, while junior starting pitcher Tanner Kruse was shutting down the Patriots. He struck out five batters in his first three innings.

Oxford trailed, 7-3, before coming up with the five-run outburst in the sixth. The rally picked up steam after senior pitcher Steve Criss knocked in a run with a one-out double to left field that made the score 7-4. Higgins' swipe of home capped the rally.

"This is our team ... We've been down and the kids just find a way to win," Williams said. "The kids have heart like I've never seen before."